Around the Minors: Opening Day

Setting off sparks

Low-A Kannapolis may have lost its inaugural game as the Cannon Ballers, but it was quite a show.

First firework show in Cannon Ballers history! #HaveABlast pic.twitter.com/PECaiGYzjx

— Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (@Kcannonballers) May 5, 2021

No. 1 gets first hit, RBI

Baseball's top overall prospect, Wander Franco, races for a triple to cross first Triple-A knock and first run plated off his to-do list with Durham.

Doubling his fun

MJ Melendez, the No. 14 Royals prospect, smacked a two-run homer in the top of the fourth for Double-A Northwest Arkansas. Then he did the same thing again the next inning.

They didn't have to wait long

The first batter in Double-A Somerset Patriots' history parked one. In the first inning, Yankees' No. 10 prospect Estevan Florial smacked one over the wall.

'Welcome to Double-A'

It was an early wakeup call for second-ranked Cardinals prospect Nolan Gorman, who dives and comes up with a web gem for Double-A Springfield in the first inning.

Back to business

Nate Pearson strikes out eight in his first start of the year for Triple-A Buffalo. It's a career high for the top Blue Jays prospect's first outing of a season. Gameday »

Kinsler comes home

Retired second baseman Ian Kinsler returned to Frisco to throw out the first pitch. The four-time All-Star hit .300 in 71 games with the RoughRiders in 2004 on his ascent to the Majors.

It’s good to have Kins back. pic.twitter.com/5WT2frAQWG

— Frisco RoughRiders (@RidersBaseball) May 5, 2021

'That ball got caught up in the sky'

Fifth-ranked Marlins prospect Lewin Diaz kicks off his season by lofting a home run for Triple-A Jacksonville.

Starting off with a career high

Roansy Contreras, the No. 20 Pirates prospect, struck out a career-high 11 while scattering five hits over five innings in his season bow for Double-A Altoona. Gameday »

Just like they did it in practice...

Third-ranked Red Sox prospect Jarren Duran makes a nice snag and No. 2 Jeter Downs helps him turn two on the play for Triple-A Worcester.

That first-pitch thing is catching on...

MLB Pipeline's No. 6 St. Louis prospect Jordan Walker didn't take long to warm up for Low-A Palm Beach.

First round pick.
First pitch.
First homerun.

Jordan Walker pic.twitter.com/M6AnNE6Yqr

— Palm Beach Cardinals (@GoPBCardinals) May 4, 2021

One pitch, one hit

The Blue Jays' 2020 first-rounder Austin Martin starts his professional career with a knock for the Double-A Fisher Cats. Tune in now »

Minor League Baseball is back!!

It's been a long time since we heard the immortal words "Play Ball" down on the farm. Check out our fans' guide for all the ins and outs of Opening Day 2021. And subscribe to MiLB.TV to watch the action.